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NH gets $35 million from Volkswagen

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New Hampshire will get over $35 million in a multi-state settlement with Volkswagen for tampering with emission controls.

In 2014 on-road testing of Volkswagen diesel cars revealed nitrogen oxide emissions over forty times the legal limit. Testers discovered software that turned down emission controls during regular driving.

Many states banded together to sue Volkswagen over the emission fraud. To settle that lawsuit, Volkswagen will pay New Hampshire $6.1 million for Consumer Protection Act violations and $29 million for environmental mitigation. Volkswagen must also fix or buyback impacted vehicles.

"The fraud perpetrated by Volkswagen and its affiliated companies is among the worst we have seen," said Attorney General Joe Foster. "The deception spanned multiple companies, vehicle models, and emissions systems. It clearly shows a corporate culture designed to mislead consumers and regulators while disregarding health and environmental concerns for the sake of profits. These settlements will hopefully convince other manufacturers to play by the rules." 

The fate of the settlement funds will be decided by the legislature's Fiscal Committee. In the past the committee has used settlement funds to set up trusts for environmental cleanup. Sometimes, however, settlement funds are used to balance the state budget.

State law also requires that 10% of the settlement go to the state's rainy day fund. 

How do you think New Hampshire should use the settlement funds? Let us know in the comments.

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